Populism & Nationalism: A threat to Europe?

A political study tour to the EU

Beschreibung

Across Europe, mainstream parties are losing ground to fringe parties at both ends of the political spectrum. Populist parties are now in power in several EU member states, either as majority governments or as parts of coalitions, and populist parliamentarians comprise around a quarter of the European Parliament. The EU as an organisation could suffer great damage from this populist wave. The EU’s purpose, European integration, is a transnational project built on the principles that populists most oppose: shared sovereignty, supranational authority, compromises between different interests, and mutual tolerance.

Against the backdrop of the growing polarization of the EU’s political landscape, the Brexit referendum, the rise of Donald Trump in the US and in the light of the national elections in the Netherlands, France and Germany 2017, we will examine the phenomenon of (right and left-wing) populism and nationalism in Europe. What characterises parties such as Le Pen's Front National, Germany's AfD, Austria's FPÖ, the Netherland's PVV or Tsipras' Syriza? Why are they on a roll? What is the impact of nationalist, populist governments and parties on EU policy-making and co-operation? Is the rise of populism in Europe a threat to the continent's stability? How should the EU, how should we as EU citiziens respond?

We will discuss with representatives of the EU core institutions, Commission, Council and Parliament, incl. MEPs of (right-/left-wing) populist political groups, as well as EU think tanks / political foundations.

This seminar takes place in cooperation with the Global Order Project Freiburg.

The participation fee includes accomodation and meals (half-board) and programme, travel costs are not included. Registration is possible until March 31st 2017. Please send the following information along with your registration (Anmeldung): citizenship, place of residence, profession and passport number. Deutsche Staatsangehörige können alternativ die Personalausweisnummer angegeben.